San Mateo County plans to launch a mental health court this summer aimed at compelling homeless people and others with severe, untreated psychotic disorders into treatment plans and facilities.
The initiative stems from California’s new county-level CARE Court program, spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of a broader overhaul of the state’s mental health system.
This July, San Mateo is set to become the second Bay Area county to start the program, following San Francisco, which in October opened one of California’s first CARE courts. All counties statewide must phase in courts by Dec. 1.
While disability rights advocates worry the program could infringe on people’s personal freedom, officials say the goal is not to force patients into facilities or conservatorships against their will but rather to work with them to achieve voluntary participation.
However, if patients do not comply with their treatment plans, they could be referred to a locked facility or jailed if they have a pending criminal case. Participants cannot be forcibly medicated or jailed solely for refusing care. Treatment plans last one year and could be renewed for a second year.
Read more at MercuryNews.com
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